The Human Body in Health & Disease – Midterm Study Guide

Detailed Midterm Study Guide – The Human Body in Health & Disease

Levels of Organization

  1. Atom

    • Smallest unit of matter; forms molecules that build cells.

  2. Cell

    • Smallest living unit; carries out metabolism, growth, and reproduction.

  3. Tissue

    • Group of similar cells working together for a function (e.g., muscle contraction).

  4. Organ

    • Structure made of tissues performing a specific task (e.g., heart pumps blood).

  5. Organ System

    • Organs working together (e.g., digestive system breaks down food).

  6. Organism

    • Entire living individual capable of homeostasis.

Anatomical Position, Planes & Cavities

  1. Anatomical Position

    • Body is upright, feet are forward, arms at sides, palms are facing forward; this position is used as a reference.

  2. Sagittal Plane

    • Divides the body into left and right sections.

  3. Frontal (Coronal) Plane

    • Divides the body into front (anterior) and back (posterior) sections.

  4. Transverse Plane

    • Divides the body into top (superior) and bottom (inferior) sections.

  5. Dorsal Cavity

    • Protects the nervous system which includes the cranial and spinal cavities.

  6. Ventral Cavity

    • Houses organs; includes the thoracic cavity and abdominopelvic cavities.

  7. Diaphragm

    • Muscular sheet used for breathing; separates the thoracic and abdominal cavities.

Chemistry & Cells

  1. Protons

    • Particles with a positive charge; determine the identity of an element.

  2. Neutrons

    • Particles with no charge (neutral); function to stabilize the nucleus of an atom.

  3. Electrons

    • Negatively charged particles involved in chemical bonding; located in electron shells surrounding the nucleus.

  4. Triglyceride

    • A type of lipid composed of glycerol and three fatty acids; serves to store energy and insulate the body.

  5. Nucleotide

    • DNA unit made of a sugar, phosphate group, and nitrogen base; serves to store genetic information.

  6. Cell Membrane

    • A biological membrane that controls what enters and leaves the cell.

  7. Cytoplasm

    • A jelly-like substance where cellular chemical reactions take place.

  8. Nucleus

    • Control center of the cell; houses DNA and directs protein synthesis.

  9. Ribosomes and RNA

    • Ribosomes assemble proteins which are crucial for cell structure and function; RNA plays a key role in the composition of ribosomes.